The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI) today named Billie S. McConkey as vice president, human resources.
A practicing labor and employment attorney, McConkey, 44, has provided legal counsel to three different news companies over her 20-year career. Since 2006, she has served as special employment counsel to McClatchy, providing guidance on labor and employment issues. She begins her new role March 9 as the company's top human resources executive and a member of McClatchy's senior management team.
"Billie has a long history of working with our markets in the area of employee relations and has a deep understanding of our culture," said McClatchy President and CEO Pat Talamantes. "Leaders both at corporate and in our markets have tremendous confidence in Billie's judgment, resourcefulness and work ethic. I couldn't be happier to have her lead our dedicated team of human resources professionals."
Born and raised in Charleston, W.Va., McConkey earned a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University and her law degree from West Virginia University's College of Law, where she graduated first in her class and was executive editor of the West Virginia Law Review. She moved to Arizona in 1995 to begin her legal career, working in private practice and specializing in employment issues.
In 1998, she joined Phoenix-based Central Newspapers, Inc., then publisher of The Arizona Republic, The Indianapolis Star, and other daily newspapers, in an executive role as vice president, labor and employment counsel. She moved to Knight Ridder in 2000 as special labor counsel and continued in that capacity for McClatchy when McClatchy acquired Knight Ridder in 2006.
"I couldn't be more thrilled to expand my role and continue to be a part of the phenomenal work taking place at McClatchy," McConkey said. "It has truly been an honor to serve as McClatchy's employment counsel for the past nine years. During that time, I have worked closely with so many talented employees and come to appreciate the unparalleled innovative spirit that spans all areas of the company. Most of all, I have come to know and love the heart of this organization."
